Wednesday in Gothenburg

Very pleasant dinner last night, table now full, with 8 - all from Australia (2 x Adelaide and 4 x Perth). Followed dinner up with late show - excellent young English violinist playing a range of modern music.

Early morning arrival into Gothenburg and off ship by 8.15am. Initially a broken sky with a little sunshine. Gothenburg is a very large port, the biggest in Scandanvia, set at the mouth of the Gota River and strictly controlled - security, oh&s, migration etc. We were shuttled from the outer port into the city centre to Gustaf Adolfs Square and from there we went walking city streets in mixed weather, light showers then a brief period of sunshine, repeating. First time we have seen significant car traffic since Paris, but it was morning peak. Down past Kungsports-Platsen statue to one of the major canals and the fresh food market. On one side the canal is lined with parklands and we criss crossed a number of bridges to get to the fish market - alas not open till 10am.

Wandered on and through Gothenburg's pedestrianised streets to see the Gothenburg Cathedral which is built in a light filled Neo-Classical style (the third to be built - first two burning down in 1721 and 1802 respectively). Then considered a canal boat tour, but wisely opted for a coffee as the next two showers arrived (canal boats are not covered). Headed into the Tradgardsforeningen (the Garden Society of Gothenburg) which has a pavillion in the same style as Kew Gardens, and is set in lovely gardens.

Headed back to inner harbour area to Gothenburg's Opera House and for a view across the Viking, a 1906 four masted steel barque, reputedly the biggest sailing ship ever built in Scandanvia, to the building affectionately known as the Lipstick Building - 23 stories in red and white.

With our half day in Gothenburg over, we headed back to ship via shuttle bus with police coming on board checking every single passenger card before being allowed into port area. Not suprising as the news over here is constantly of "asylum" seekers coming into Europe. Greek islands being over run with thousands of arrivals every day, Austria experiencing the deaths of people smuggler victims, Hungary building a border wall, and Budapest main station closed for two days as it is besieged by those trying to catch trains into western Europe.

Spent a couple of afternoon hours chasing sun around the ship. Weather is so so, with a significant low pressure system holding fast over the Balkans.